MACAU – Whether it’s the wisdom that comes along with years of experience in the fight game or simply the uncertainty of trying to compete in a young man’s game as you near middle age, UFC on FUEL TV 6 headliners Rich Franklin (29-6 MMA, 14-5 UFC) and Cung Le (8-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) simply aren’t willing to talk about anything other than Saturday night.

Franklin quietly admits he’s hoping to piece together another championship run, and Le sometimes discusses his alternative aspirations in Hollywood, but neither is intent on predicting his next move.

Instead, the two friendly rivals each seem focused on one singular goal: an explosive Chinese debut for the UFC.

“Acting has been on hold for a while,” Le told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). “Right now, it’s just getting focused on this fight. I’m not looking into the future about any other fight right now. I’ve got to get ready to fight Rich Franklin.”

Franklin and Le meet in the headlining bout of Saturday’s UFC on FUEL TV 6 event, which takes place Saturday in Macau. The main card airs on FUEL TV in the U.S. (9 a.m. ET/6 a.m. PT) following prelims on Facebook (7:15 a.m. ET).

At 40 years old, Vietnamese-born Le would seem to be at a bit of a career crossroads. His best fighting days are likely behind, but his fan-friendly striking style leaves him in high demand, and if paired with the right opponent, he can continue to turn in memorable performances. However, much of his recent spare time has been spent filming Hollywood features such as the recently released “The Man with the Iron Fists,” as well as “The Grandmasters” and “Dragon Eyes.”

One could hardly blame Le for seeking out a less-violent line of work, but he insists he’s not quite ready to hang up the gloves just yet.

“Definitely juggling a movie career and a fighting career is very hard,” Le said. “For me, I learned the hard way – a couple of losses. So it’s been about a year now I’ve been consistent, just fighting only.

“I guess I like to get punched in the face sometimes. I enjoy competition. I’m a martial artist first before I’m an actor. So as long as I can compete, I’ll compete, and when it’s time, I’m sure I’ll hang it up. But right now, I’m the main event with Rich Franklin, and I’m excited to be part of this event.”

Meanwhile former UFC middleweight champ Franklin recently turned 38. He remains one of the UFC’s most popular figures, and he’s made a career out of being one of the promotion’s true “company guys” and taking catchweight fights against the likes of Wanderlei Silva and Vitor Belfort. At UFC on FUEL TV 6, the promotion entrusts him to turn in a performance that will help develop a demand for MMA in the Asian region.

“Everything is going really well,” Franklin said. “Camp’s gone great. I’m ahead of schedule on my weight-cut as to where I want to be at this point in time, so I’m pleased with everything. I’m just at the point now where it’s pretty much time to fight and it’s a waiting game at this point, putting on the finishing touches.”

The bout isn’t a grudge match, and both athletes have spent more of fight week complimenting each other than they have discussing whose face will end up rearranged. But with nearly 30 years of combat sports experience between them, Franklin doesn’t believe the lack of emotion will result in any lack of offense in the cage.

“It’s interesting because Cung and I are two fighters on the card here that are actually friends outside of the octagon,” Franklin said. “I think that what people are going to understand is that it doesn’t take two people to hate each other to actually get into the octagon and put on a good show. So I would expect Saturday night that we’re going to open up here on Chinese soil and put on a good show for the fans.”

And that, of course, is what the UFC is hoping for, as well. But what does a win do for either competitor? Ultimately, that’s somewhat unclear. But Franklin seems to have his mind on one last shot at glory –despite his reluctance to talk about the ultimate prize.

“I always hate getting asked about title fights when I’m getting ready for a fight because right now I’ve got Cung on my radar for Saturday night, so that’s my primary goal,” Franklin said. “But ultimately, dropping back down to 185 pounds was about possibly making another title run before I retire.”

Le may not have enough time left in his career for a shot at the belt. After all, UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva appears to be waiting for a potential superfight with Georges St-Pierre, and fighters such as Michael Bisping and Chris Weidman are certainly ahead of the kickboxing ace in the 185-pound pecking order.

But the budding actor insists there’s no lack of motivation. In some ways, the event was built around his heritage, as UFC President Dana White made it clear that Le was his first pick to lead the promotion’s charge into China, the world’s most-populous nation.

In truth, UFC on FUEL TV 6 may actually mean more to the company than its headliners. While the special administrative region of Macau isn’t mainland China, a successful showing could be the start of something special for the company in a potentially lucrative market. Both headliners seem to be aware of the responsibility they’ve been given.

“I’m here, I’m ready to put on a show, and I’ll fight my heart out,” Le said. “I’ll leave it all inside in the octagon.”

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